Now that astronomers have projected the likely dates for Eid Al Adha, UAE residents can begin planning their holiday getaways. However, travellers are being urged to book early, as airfares continue to rise amid strong demand, rising fuel costs and limited capacity.

Travel agents say ticket prices are already significantly higher, and are expected to rise further as the holiday approaches.

According to early predictions, Eid Al Adha is likely to fall between May 27 and May 29, and travellers preparing for a long weekend break will surely put additional pressure on flight availability.

Rising ticket rates across key routes

Non-stop fares from Dubai for travel between May 26 and May 31 have surged across major destinations:

India routes:

• Mumbai: Around Dh2,000
• Bengaluru: About Dh2,360
• New Delhi: Approximately Dh2,110
• Kochi: Around Dh2,940
• Thiruvananthapuram: About Dh3,300
• Mangaluru: Up to Dh4,080

GCC routes:

• Riyadh: Around Dh875
• Manama and Muscat: Approximately Dh1,100

International destinations:

• London: About Dh3,840
• Edinburgh: Dh4,040
• Zurich: Dh3,760
• Milan: Dh2,390
• Istanbul: Dh2,610
• Athens: Dh3,730
• Almaty and Tbilisi: Around Dh2,330
• New York City: Nearing Dh4,760

Why the price surge?

Industry experts point to a combination of factors keeping fares elevated:

• Strong seasonal demand for Eid travel
• Limited airline capacity on key routes
• Rising jet fuel costs linked to ongoing regional tensions

At the same time, increased inbound tourism is adding further pressure on seat availability.

Experts warn that prices are unlikely to ease in the coming weeks. As bookings accelerate closer to Eid, last-minute travellers could face even higher fares. Booking early could make a significant difference in securing better prices.